Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola features highly among the options Liverpool are considering as an alternative to their top winger target Yan Diomande.
PSG are negotiating Diomande’s transfer with RB Leipzig after he indicated his preference to join the French and European champions.
The 19-year-old has been Liverpool’s top target, but they have not been prepared to meet Leipzig’s valuation.
The German club want significantly more than the £86m Liverpool were willing to pay for the Ivory Coast international.
The Premier League side have been reluctant to go any higher than that, which appears to give PSG a clear run at the winger.
PSG could loan Diomande back to Leipzig to get deal done
PSG have a contract agreed with Diomande until 2031 and the two clubs are discussing a deal that includes the potential for loaning the player back to Leipzig.
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Leipzig managing director Marcel Schafer reiterated on Monday that they intend for Diomande to remain at the club next season.
“Our clear intention is that Yan will play for RB Leipzig next year. And we won’t move away from that,” he said.
“We know exactly what we have in him. Of course, if Yan continues like this, the time will come when we allow him to take the next step – but not this year.
“We hold all the cards. So, to make it clear once again: Diomande will remain an RB Leipzig player.”
And speaking about his future ahead of the Ivory Coast’s World Cup last-32 tie against Norway on Tuesday, Diomande said: “First of all, like I said, my dream is playing for my country and making history with my country.
“I don’t have Instagram anymore, I don’t have TikTok, so I can’t see anything but I expect to leave [RB Leipzig] of course.
“I have an agent who’s going to manage the rest but for me the most important thing right now is focusing on the World Cup with my country and making history with them.”
Why Liverpool target Barcola could be available this summer
Liverpool have already signed winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna and are now exploring their options as they execute their plans to replace Mohamed Salah.
Barcola’s future at PSG is uncertain due to his frustrations about being overlooked for selection in the big games – namely the Champions League final win against Arsenal.
Sky Sports News reported earlier this month that Barcola could leave PSG this summer if he is still unhappy about his situation when he returns from the World Cup with France.
Image:
Barcola has scored one goal at this summer’s World Cup for France
PSG ideally want to keep hold of the 23-year-old but will not stand in his way if he wishes to move on and a club meets their valuation. The Ligue 1 club will not let him go on the cheap.
Barcola has two years left on his contract, which makes this the ideal time for PSG to cash in on the player if he refuses to extend his deal.
Arsenal have also been keeping an eye on Barcola, but as it stands, their priority for the left-wing position appears to be Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa.
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In
Jeremy Jacquet – Rennes, £60m
Victor Munoz – Osasuna, £34.5m
Out
Andy Robertson – Tottenham, free
Ibrahima Konate – Real Madrid, free
Mohamed Salah – released
Rhys Williams – released